Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister...

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade, The Honourable Stephen Robertson
23/08/2010

http://derm.qld.gov.au/land/planning/pdf/strategic-cropping/strategic-cropping-policy-complete.pdf

I have produced a truncated transcript (minus the waffle) of the above policy, but first it seems clear that:

# this is rushed, popular, inconsitent policy on the run for an increasingly alarmed Qld Labor Govt in its death thoes ahead of election defeat within the next 15-18 months imo

# proposed open cut coal mines best not be on strategic cropping land ... the world's largest planned open cut mines are at Wandoan (Xstrata)??

# despite obvious substantial environmental concerns, coal seam gas appears annointed and protected

# there is no direct mention whatsoever of UCG, but imo UCG should be permitted on strategic cropping land as it certainly does not "permanently prevent" the land being used for cropping

The truncated transcript ...

State's best food producing land will be protected for future generations ... the state's best agricultural areas will not be developed where they permanently alienate the land ... strategic cropping land will be defined as land on which soil quality, topography and seasonal rainfall combined enable more than one quality crop to be grown on a commercial agricultural basis ... "We have taken the decision to protect Queensland's precious food producing land and provide food security for future generations," Minister Robertson said ... "This policy recognises the importance of finding a balance between our agricultural industries, the resource industry, emerging industries like coal seam gas to liquid natural gas, and urban development ... "Where a development is proposed ... it will not be permitted to proceed if it permanently prevents the land being used for cropping in the future ... "Based on current technology at least, it would be difficult to see how an open cut coal mine could proceed on Strategic Cropping Land, whereas well-designed coal seam gas operations may be able to be accommodated under this policy without alienating the land" ... "Although the legislation is yet to be finalised we expect developers and resource companies to take account now of the clear intent of this new framework." ... among the first to be assessed for strategic cropping land is Tarong Energy's Haystack Road coal tenure, about 40km south-east of Chinchilla ... Even where a farmer's land is not shown as Strategic Cropping Land on the Trigger Map, they will be able to apply to have their landholding assessed as strategic cropping land on the basis of the scientific criteria ... "This initiative will manage land use in conjunction with a number of new policies including the Land Access framework, the Surat Basin Future Directions Statement and policies that manage groundwater and coal seam gas water." ...For more information on protecting Queensland's strategic cropping land or for your copy of the policy visit [email protected] or phone 13QGOV (13 7468).

Cheers
PD